Bulgaria, Kosovo and Macedonia

[RooFlyer]

I couldn't think of snazzy title for this TR and the whole thing I might try to take back to the style which i did some years ago - to focus on the travel experience,possibly of benefit to others that may do similar, later. Commentary on airlines, other transport, the tour etc ... but of course hopefully dome nice scenery and history along the way! Readers of my past TRs know that food doesn't usually get much of a look-in.

The flights are pretty straight forward. Hobart through to Adelaide on Qantas (Y), then Adelaide-Doha-Sofia on QR (QSuites, if the aircraft selection holds), and return.



In the Balkans I'm on a 10 day Exodus tour, my second with them. Their tour of Iran last year was very well done, so I'm hoping for a repeat.



Departing Hobart in a couple of hours. But only just. I've had a couple of health issues over the past few months and have been counting down to see if they would all be benign for the trip. A degenerating SI joint in my hip is the worst - makes sitting and lying on my back problematical, but with physio and some anti inflammatories I should be OK.

But then, out of the blue, a potential show-stopper arose on the weekend - something new and unexpected. I zoomed into Hobart on Monday into the ED of the local private hospital to be assessed. A couple of scans and 10 hours later, I was given the all clear

So, off we go ...

 

[RooFlyer]

Check in at Qantas Hobart - we still have humans here . Strangely, even though my Qantas and Qatar flights are on separate tickets, the check in agent was quite happy to check my bags all the way through. As I wanted the bag in Adelaide,I declined, but I got all my boarding passes.

Security was a breeze and into the Qantas Club, where I found that my QFF number wasn't on my BPs. I hope this isn't going to be a wierd trip.

The QP at HBA, which I've ranted on before:





Not crowded now, but that will change!

 

[Pushka]

You have a bit of a wait in Adelaide then. Plans? You could help me move in!

 

[RooFlyer]

4 hours in ADL, I need to do some shopping

 

[RooFlyer]

The view from HBA QP, showing the lovely on tarmac passenger management system.



Airport is embarking on a new master plan, after the last one was abandoned as out of date 2 years into it . Still no airbridges, so pax will continue to have to walk up to 200 m sometimes in wind and rain off and onto the planes. BUT the he BIG improvement they announced was the ramps ( illustrated) rather than stairs. Wow, can't say they don't go all out!

But from the terminal to the ramps you'll still go through the cattle runs. These are needed to keep pax from various planes, strung out along the apron, separated.

 

[Pushka]

4 hours in ADL, I need to do some shopping

Just an excuse methinks. Men don’t shop. Can I say that these days?

I think it’s Q Suites from Adelaide now. That seems to have stuck. If you get the chance can you ask them where the bassinet seats are in those suites? I’ve googled but it seems like the info is hidden or something. DIL is flying Q Suite in Oct with our newborn by then, Grandie from an award seat I booked her.

I will see you fly out tonight as we are close to the airport. So really you do have time to help me unpack.

 

[Cossie]

Looking forward to this, hope the medical issues don't cause any more issues.

 

[RooFlyer]

Typical scene at HBA. Qantas flight on the left ( arrived late) can't disembark ( even with the snazzy new ramp) because Jetstar on the right is waiting to leave via 'power out' ( no tugs). So a further 10 min delay.



And finally

 

[RooFlyer]

So really you do have time to help me unpack.

Sure, happy to help. But do you really want a man to unpack the kitchen ?

I'll ask about the bassinets.

 

[Pushka]

Typical scene at HBA. Qantas flight on the left ( arrived late) can't disembark ( even with the snazzy new ramp) because Jetstar on the right is waiting to leave via 'power out' ( no tugs). So a further 10 min delay.

View attachment 174391

And finally
View attachment 174390

Wow. That’s a long ramp - I guess they can’t do stairs anymore.

 

[RooFlyer]

They can ( and do), but the ramps are better, especially for wheelchair pax. Before it was using a dreadful exposed forklift sort of thing. If you had multiple wheelchairs, it took forever, with everyone out in the weather.

Last year Arrivals had to sometimes wait to disembark, as there weren't enough stair units if the timing got out. Even though the stairs are manufactured only 2 hours away.

No, I'm not a fan of my local airport!

 

[RooFlyer]

On board. FAs now doing their third count of pax ( using clicker thing).

 

[VPS]

Safe travels - looking forward to following along - I did that area in 1982 so I guess it will have changed a bit. It's a bit cool and grey in Adelaide today and if you finish @Pushka unpacking, I have 14 boxes to unpack as well.

 

[RooFlyer]

Adelaide. Off to shop!

 

[RooFlyer]

Fun facts about Adelaide ( amongst other places )

 

[RooFlyer]

Using the Adelaide Metro bus to get downtown was something new for me. I had plenty of time and have a taste for adventure .

Why do they change drivers in the middle of the express route? We've just been waiting 10 mins on the way back to the airport as the new driver hadn't shown up.

Ah. Current driver is boldly carrying on!

 

[VPS]

Ah good old Adelaide

 

[kookaburra75]

The QP at HBA, which I've ranted on before:

But it's sort of nice to know that some things don't change over the years It's stayed the same since the Ansett years I think

But, looking forward to your trip report - our family went through that area in a campervan in the 70's, and I've been thinking of taking MrsK on a loop through eastern Europe as it seems less spoiled - although not in a campervan these days

 

[RooFlyer]

Righto - successful shopping in Adelaide. I shall reveal my prize purchase on board (as long as it works as intended

i had my bags stowed in one of the lockers near the rental car area at ADL. $16 for 24 hrs - took a check-in sized suitcase and my carry on. One issue - its 'access once only' . You can't get something out and close it again; if you open it, its unlocked. It doesn't tell you that until you go and try. This is a bit of a rip-off, as exactly the same locker system is at the Mitchell Library in Sydney and there you can go back and access as much as you like within your paid time frame.

I repaired to the Qantas Lounge until it was time to check in. At 6:40 I noticed check-in was open at T-3.5 hrs, so off I went.

Checked in and went back in the Qantas lounge. When I came the first time, abt 5pm, and again just now, a bit after 7, they said there would be a new 'international buffet' served after 7. Hmmmm ... At 7:30 all thats hot on offer are the dregs and scrapings of the pasta that's been on offer since I first arrived.



Thought it was a bit odd to have new tucker served now, as there are only 2 Qantas flights after 7pm ... one leaves at 7:30.

Anyway, will have a snack to take some pills with. I'm sure QR will serve up something nice later on.

 

[RooFlyer]

A350- 900 but not Qsuites . The first one into ADL was yesterday they told me ( I thought it was earlir) So, consolation, just QRs great business class that I've enjoyed many times before. I'll just have to suck it up.